Seems like existing 2016 inventory might garner a better deal than a 2017... are there any significant differences between these two years?

To my knowledge the only real difference is the addition of some colors.

Nope none really. Just colors. Same specs and features.

just colors

Maybe the +18 MMC TLX might get a early spring/summer release in 2017 since there are almost zero changes to the 17 TLX? You would then have the 16, 17 and 18 to pick from depending on what fits your needs better?

Does anyone know if Honda is going to tweak the TLX for 2017 to try to get better results in the IIHS small overlap crash test? They made changes for the 2016 model to try to get better results, but actually received a worse result than the 2015 model. I wonder if they are going to try again for the 2017 model, or just wait for the MMC next year.

In Canada, the 2017 includes a couple of items from the Elite package on the Tech package now. Or maybe just one. They added the power folding mirrors to the Tech package. Previously it was only available on the highest trim.